The Kia Tigers made a Friday announcement confirming the signing of veteran designated hitter Choi Hyoung-woo to a new two-year deal.

Choi, at 40, has made history as the oldest non-free agent player to ink a multiyear contract in the Korea Baseball Organization.

According to the Tigers, Choi’s contract guarantees the first year, with a vesting option for a second season, contingent on meeting a performance incentive threshold. The potential earnings for Choi under this agreement reach up to 2.2 billion won ($1.7 million).

In June of the previous year, Choi cemented his legacy by becoming the all-time leader in runs batted in (RBI) in the KBO. He achieved this milestone with his 1,499th and 1,500th RBIs, marked by a two-run homer against the Hanwha Eagles. This breakthrough surpassed a tie with retired slugger Lee Seung-yuop. Closing the 2023 season with 81 RBIs, the second-highest on the Tigers, Choi now boasts a career total of 1,542 RBIs.

On the all-time RBI list, Choi Jeong of the SSG Landers is the closest active player to Choi with 1,454.

Choi initiated his KBO journey with the Samsung Lions in 2002, solidifying his regular status in 2008 and earning the Rookie of the Year award.

As a free agent after the 2016 season, Choi joined the Tigers. Following the conclusion of his initial four-year deal, he returned to the Tigers with a new three-year contract, spanning the 2021-2023 seasons.

This latest contract essentially ensures that Choi will retire as a member of the Tigers.

Expressing gratitude for the favorable contract, Choi stated, “I will do the best I can with my teammates to take this team to the postseason,” highlighting the Tigers’ limited postseason appearances in the past five years. He added, “Until the day my career ends, I will always remember where I came from, and I want Tigers fans to remember me as a consistent force.”

The Tigers, acknowledging Choi’s stellar on-field performance and exemplary clubhouse leadership, emphasized their desire to reward him for his contributions.